RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team fell on the road to Texas State, Sunday, 4-1, at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
 
In the 72^nd minute and trailing 4-0, junior Isabella Burtini scored her first goal of the season by breaking through Texas State's defense with the help of freshman Anuhea Aalona in the 72^nd minute.
 
Aalona recorded her first career assist with a clean through pass off her head to the feet of Burtini. Burtini was able to shake the Bobcats and connected with the back of the net.
 
The Bobcats (1-0-0) were aggressive from the start, taking nine shots to UTRGV's one. Texas State held a 2-0 lead at halftime after a pair of scores despite physical defense from the Vaqueros. 
 
Constance Agyemang scored in the 33^rd minute, assisted by Sydney Ritter. Grace El-Deir came in fresh off a substitution and scored off a cross in the 38^th minute, assisted by Matsuri Tsutsui.
 
The UTRGV (0-2-0) defense at 14^th minute held the line as the Bobcats offense swarmed the box early and often.
 
Texas State kept sophomore goalkeeper Mariana Amezcua busy with a cross into the box at the 20^th and 24^th minute, but the goalie corralled both opportunities.
 
Amidst a chaotic 28^th minute, junior Erika Parker stepped up to clear a loose ball that was rattling in the box, preventing a goal in the Bobcats attack.
 
Veronica Pacione made her UTRGV debut to start the second half of the match.
 
In the 49^th minute, Texas State's Ava Kooker crossed the ball from the right wing that led to a Victoria Meza header to extend the lead Bobcats 3-0. Meza tacked on her second goal of the night in the 65^th minute to extend the lead 4-0.
 
UTRGV was solid in the final 25 minutes of the match, scoring and holding the Bobcats scoreless, providing good momentum and takeaways for the next match.

Pacione finished the match with two saves and Amezcua had one. Texas State outshot UTRGV 22-3 with a 7-1 shot on goal advantage.
 
The Vaqueros return home to the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex for a Thursday match against Prairie View A&M, which is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
 
Fans can tune in domestically on ESPN+ or internationally through Southland International or follow along through live stats.
  
Support UTRGV Women's Soccer | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube